You Just Need the Audio From That Video
It happens all the time. You recorded a perfect voice memo during a walk, but it’s trapped inside a video file. You found a hilarious clip with an amazing soundtrack you want to save. Or perhaps you need to send just the audio from a presentation to a colleague without the large video file.
Your iPhone is a powerhouse for media, but it doesn’t have a built-in “Extract Audio” button. This leaves many users searching for workarounds, often downloading questionable third-party apps or trying convoluted methods.
The good news is, extracting audio from a video on an iPhone is straightforward once you know the right tools. You can do it with apps you already own, using methods that take less than a minute.
Why You Can’t Just “Save As” Audio
Videos on your iPhone are typically saved as .MOV or .MP4 files. These are container formats that hold both a video track and one or more audio tracks bundled together. Your phone’s native Photos and Camera apps are designed to play this bundled package, not to dismantle it.
Extracting the audio is essentially the process of copying the audio track out of this container and saving it as a standalone file, usually in a common audio format like M4A (similar to MP4 for audio) or MP3. This requires a bit of processing, which is where the following methods come in.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Regardless of the method you choose, start by locating the video in your Photos app. Ensure it’s fully downloaded to your device (not just a cloud thumbnail). For longer videos, make sure you have a few moments for the processing to complete. The audio file will be significantly smaller than the video.
Method 1: Using the Free Shortcuts App (The Built-In Power Tool)
This is the most versatile and completely free method, using Apple’s own Shortcuts app. If you’ve never used Shortcuts, think of it as a way to create your own custom buttons for multi-step tasks.
We’ll create a simple shortcut that acts as your personal “Extract Audio” button.
Creating Your Audio Extraction Shortcut
First, open the Shortcuts app (it’s pre-installed on your iPhone). If you can’t find it, search for it in the App Library.
Tap the “+” icon in the top right to create a new shortcut. Tap “Add Action”. In the search bar, type “Select Photos” and tap on the action named “Select Photos”. This will let you choose the video.
Tap the blue “+” button below that action to add another. Search for and select “Encode Media”. Tap the word “Video” in this new action and change it to “Audio Only”.
Add a third action by tapping “+” again. Search for and select “Save to Files”. This tells the shortcut where to put your new audio file.
Finally, tap “Next” at the top. Name your shortcut something clear like “Extract Audio”. Tap “Done”.
How to Use Your New Shortcut
Now, whenever you need to pull audio from a video, just open the Shortcuts app, tap on your “Extract Audio” shortcut, and it will run.
It will ask you to select a video from your library. After you choose one, it will process it and then ask you where in your Files app you want to save the new M4A audio file. Choose a location like “On My iPhone” or “iCloud Drive”.
That’s it. The audio is now a separate file in your chosen folder, ready to be shared, used in other apps, or set as a ringtone.
Method 2: Using iMovie (The Creative Suite Approach)
If you prefer a more visual, editor-like process, iMovie is a great free option from Apple. It treats the extraction as a mini video editing project.
Open the iMovie app and start a new project. Tap “Movie” and select the video you want to work with. It will appear on your timeline.
Now, tap on the video clip in the timeline. A toolbar will appear at the bottom. Look for the speaker icon or the option that says “Detach” (it might be under the three dots or a separate menu). Tap “Detach Audio”.
Instantly, you’ll see the audio separate from the video clip on your timeline, appearing as a green waveform. You can now delete the video clip (the top portion) by tapping it and pressing delete. Only the green audio track will remain.
To export this audio, you need to share the “project”. Tap the share button (a square with an arrow pointing up). Choose “Save Video”. In the quality options, you can choose a lower resolution like 540p since only the audio matters. The app will process and save the file to your Photos.
Important: iMovie saves the final product as a video file, but one that is essentially a black screen with your audio. To get a pure audio file, you can then use the Shortcuts method above on this new silent video, or use a converter app as described next.
Method 3: Using a Dedicated Converter App (The One-Click Solution)
For the simplest, most direct experience, a dedicated audio converter app from the App Store is ideal. Apps like “Media Converter – Video to MP3” or “Audio Extractor” are designed for this single job.
Download your chosen app. Open it and grant it permission to access your Photos when prompted. The interface is usually very straightforward: a big button that says “Select Video” or “Convert”.
Browse and select your video. The app will then present you with output options. You can typically choose your audio format.
- M4A (AAC): The default, high-quality format used by Apple. Best for general use and preserving quality.
- MP3: The universal standard, best for maximum compatibility with any device or software.
- WAV: Uncompressed, studio-quality audio. Creates very large files, usually unnecessary for voice memos or clips from phone videos.
Select your format (MP3 is a safe bet), tap “Convert” or “Extract”, and wait a few seconds. The app will then ask where to save the file or will place it in an “Audio” folder within the app itself. From there, you can use the iOS share sheet to save it to your Files app or share it directly.
Choosing the Right App
When browsing the App Store, look for apps with high ratings and recent updates. Many excellent converters are free but may show ads or have a one-time purchase to remove them. Read the “In-App Purchases” note to avoid surprises.
What to Do With Your Extracted Audio File
Once you have your standalone audio file, the possibilities open up. You can set it as a custom ringtone or text tone in Settings. You can import it into a podcast editing app or a music creation app like GarageBand. You can share it via AirDrop, email, or messaging apps much more easily than a large video file.
If it’s a voice memo, you can now transcribe it using Notes or another dictation app. If it’s music, you can add it to your personal library.
Common Troubleshooting and Questions
What if the audio is silent or doesn’t extract? First, play the original video with the volume up to confirm it has sound. Some screen recordings or videos from certain apps may have protected audio that cannot be extracted due to DRM (Digital Rights Management). This is common with content from streaming services.
Can I extract audio from a slow-motion or time-lapse video? Yes, but the audio will match the altered speed. A slow-motion video’s audio will be deep and slowed down; time-lapse audio will be extremely fast and high-pitched. The extraction process copies the audio track as-is.
The file is saved but I can’t find it. If you used the Shortcuts method, check the exact folder you selected in the Files app. If you used iMovie, look in your Photos app for a new video. For third-party apps, check the app’s internal “Downloads” or “Audio” section, then use the Share button to “Save to Files” to a location you choose.
Is the audio quality lost? When extracting to formats like M4A or high-bitrate MP3, the quality loss is negligible and inaudible for typical purposes. You are getting a direct copy of the audio track from the video file.
Your Go-To Strategy for Any Video
For a quick, permanent solution, take five minutes to set up the Shortcuts method. It’s free, private, and always available. For one-off extractions where you might also want to trim the audio, a dedicated converter app is the fastest path.
The barrier between the audio and video on your iPhone is just a software layer. With these tools, you can effortlessly separate them, giving you full control over your media. Start with the video of that memorable speech, favorite song clip, or important instruction, and in moments, you’ll have a clean, shareable audio file ready for whatever comes next.
